Chapter 10

“You better not make me go through the trouble of getting this approval for you, only for you to end up with no bride. The one losing face then will be you. Think it through!”

Gu Lin spoke earnestly, not wanting to see Gu Shisheng end up empty-handed in the end. After all, everyone could see how deeply Chu Wei cared for Mu Beichen.

“I will never give Mu Beichen any chance to win her back!” Gu Shisheng declared, his tone resolute.

Gu Lin studied him, as if trying to detect even a flicker of hesitation, but all he saw was firm determination. He couldn’t help but ask, “Are you truly this confident?”

Without hesitation, Gu Shisheng nodded. “Dad, do you really think I’m worse than that two-timing Mu Beichen?”

There was a hint of dissatisfaction and self-assurance in his voice.

Gu Lin let out a cold laugh, making no effort to hide his disdain. “Do you know what people have been saying about you? Some have even asked me if you prefer men.”

Hearing that, Gu Shisheng’s expression darkened instantly, staring at his father in disbelief. “Dad, how can you say that? That’s complete nonsense!”

The corner of Gu Lin’s mouth curled in a mocking smile. “Think about it yourself — would a normal man just stand there when a woman falls right in front of him?”

“But you? When a woman fell in front of you, you didn’t lift a finger. Yet if it’s one of your teammates about to fall, you’re all over it.”

Gu Shisheng was left speechless.

“I’m not stupid. Of course I can tell whether it’s an accident or an act,” he said firmly. “It’s obvious — she doesn’t fall sooner or later, but chooses the exact moment she’s right in front of me? She just wants me to help her up.”

“And if I do help her, who knows if she’d turn around and accuse me of something?” His tone carried a trace of helplessness.

Hearing this, Gu Lin dropped the subject and instead asked, “Do you want to marry Chu Wei because you truly like her, or just because you pity her?”

“Of course it’s because I like her,” Gu Shisheng replied without hesitation, his gaze unwavering.

Gu Lin nodded slightly. “If it’s just pity, then there’s no need. If Chu Wei doesn’t want to marry Mu Beichen, I can speak to the Mu family to have the engagement canceled. If she feels uncomfortable staying with them, I can bring her back to our family.”

“Then I can help her find someone she truly loves to marry. Wouldn’t that be better?”

But Gu Shisheng frowned at the suggestion, retorting, “She’s mine. No one is taking her away from me!”

“And can you guarantee that whoever you find will be better than me? How do you know they wouldn’t just be after our Gu family’s status? You can never truly know someone’s heart.”

His agitation made it clear to Gu Lin that his son really was in love with Chu Wei.

Noticing the faint smile on his father’s lips, Gu Shisheng realized Gu Lin had been testing him all along.

“I wouldn’t marry her if I didn’t like her,” he explained quickly. “If I only wanted to help her, there are plenty of other ways — I wouldn’t have to tie my whole life to it.”

Then, almost in a murmur, he added, “Besides, that little liar once told me herself that she liked me best and wanted to marry me.”

Gu Lin let out a cold snort. “Hmph, and you’re proud of that? You tricked a little girl into saying it with just a few pieces of candy, and you think that’s worth bragging about?”

Gu Shisheng rubbed his nose sheepishly, caught out by his father.

“Alright, enough. Get out of here!” Gu Lin said impatiently. “If you can’t win her over, don’t bother coming back — I’m not bearing that shame.”

But Gu Shisheng was confident. With his qualities, marrying Chu Wei shouldn’t be difficult. He was determined — even if it meant fighting for her, he would.

Seeing his son’s persistence, Gu Lin suddenly felt a pang of worry.

“Shisheng, everything must be on Chu Wei’s terms. Don’t ever hurt her,” he said seriously.

“Don’t worry, Father. I’d never hurt Chu Wei,” Gu Shisheng assured him. “If I hurt anyone, it will be Mu Beichen.”

Watching his son leave the study, Gu Lin’s unease lingered.

He sat at his desk for a long time before finally picking up the phone and dialing a number.

After hanging up, he let out a small sigh of relief. Now all he could do was wait.

Half a month — if Chu Wei truly agreed to marry Shisheng, it would mean Mu Beichen had hurt her beyond repair.

Perhaps leaving Mu Beichen wouldn’t be a bad thing for her after all, Gu Lin thought.

Meanwhile, Xia Chu Wei was in the kitchen, busy preparing food to bring to Mu Beichen, carefully packing it into insulated containers.

After greeting Aunt Zhou, she left the house with the lunch boxes.

Regardless of whether they stayed together or broke up, some things needed to be resolved face-to-face. Otherwise, Xu Xueqing would always be a shadow between them.

Taking the bus, Chu Wei arrived at Mu Beichen’s dorm. Since she often brought him meals, he had given her a key, so she didn’t have to wait outside.

“Chu Wei, you’re here?” Lin Zi’an happened to return at that moment and greeted her.

“Brother Zi’an,” she replied, a little shyly.

“Bringing food for Beichen?” Lin Zi’an glanced at the containers in her hands.

Chu Wei nodded. “I cooked at home. I brought a portion for you as well,” she said, handing one to him.

“Thanks.” Lin Zi’an accepted it and looked at her. “Chu Wei, do you like Beichen?”

He realized the question was perhaps unnecessary.

Chu Wei froze for a moment, then bit her lip and said softly, “Yes. I came today to get a clear answer — if he doesn’t like me, we’ll call off the engagement.”

“Let him go, and let myself go,” she added with a faint smile.

“And… thank you for helping me find out what happened yesterday.”

Lin Zi’an shook his head. “Chu Wei, you’re a wonderful person. If Beichen doesn’t choose you, it’s his loss.”